David’s Purely Random Thoughts

I took the APFT today (sort of).  The Army Physical Fitness Test is three events you have to do twice per year to prove you are in shape.  It is graded on a scale and could play into your evaluations and career.  The three events are pushups (all you can do in two minutes), situps (all you can do in two minutes) and a two mile run for time.  I have to do 76 pushups to max that event.  That’s actually one more than a 17yo has to do. 

I did 80 pushups in 52 seconds and quit.  There are no bonus points.  Then, I did 78 situps.  76 is max for 17yo.  The two mile run is where it got embarassing.  I had never been on this course before and it was on a street here on Victory Base.  It ran around a lake and came back.  Easy, right?  I haven’t maxed the run in years, but I was on a seven minute mile pace at the one mile mark.  Not bad.  At the 1.75 mile mark, I was on pace to finish in about 15 minutes.  My brain was in neutral as usual when I run.  Another guy was in front of me and I knew what his pace was, so I was fine.  At 15 minutes, I still didn’t see my last turn to the final straightaway.  I thought maybe the mile markers were improperly placed and threw off my math.  At the 16 minute mark, I couldn’t see the other guy anymore.  By 18 minutes, I knew something had gone horribly wrong.  To my left was a bridge that I knew was a good two miles from the start point. 

It turned out that we were not briefed on a nuance of the course.  If you don’t pay attention, you can end up going the wrong way!  Sheesh!  I’ve never even heard of someone getting lost on the their physical test.  When I got back to the team for the first meeting of the day, it turned out that lots of people did that the first time they ran that course.  The guy in front of me had done the same thing.  So, I felt a little better, but it was still embarassing. 

Hope nothing like this happens in your day! 

I still need a decent place to take progress pics.  But yesterday, I was puting on my boots when I noticed myself in the mirror.  I could see the muscles in my shoulder as the striations played under the skin.  It was pretty cool.  So, this morning, I tried a new progress pic.  The striations don’t really show up well, but you can see them some.  Someone suggested natural lighting would help, but that will have to wait until I leave Baghdad.  Those kinds of things really keep me motivated.  Hope everyone else has something similar to motivate them!  Dave

I don’t know if anyone else does this, but it really helps me.  I haven’t done it in quite a while, but started back this week with the change of routine.  After my workout, I flex the major muscles of that day as hard as I can for one minute.  I stand in front of a clock to ensure I don’t cheat.  Since the current workout features two muscle groups per workout (chest/tris, back/bis, etc.), I alternate flexing one for a minute and then the other.  After two rounds each, I have pretty well spent the muscles.  It also helps me develop better control over the flex of that muscle group.  Anyone else?

Every week for the past three weeks, I’ve been posting new personal bests in my lifting log!  I’m pretty pumped.  At the same time, I am maintaining weight and have deeper cuts.  Looks like I am burning fat. 

This week, I was able to do military presses with 225lbs for five reps.  When I racked the weight, I noticed two different groups of guys watching.  I think when they saw what I was preparing to do, they just wanted to see it done.  I’ve never seen it done either.  That felt pretty good.

My waist hasn’t dropped below 29 inches yet, but I am getting striations on the obliques that are new.  I guess I can’t complain.  I’m just going to see how long I can keep this rolling.

Any good women in the world?

I’m curious if there are any women in the world who are open, honest, loyal and appreciate those characteristics in a man?

I have had friends tell me before that I was far too nice to women.  I was often advised that women would not have any interest in or respect for a man unless he was dismissive and indifferent toward her.  I was always rather offended by these attitudes.  I have always tried to be respectful and polite toward women.  I have always tried to allow them their feelings without recrimination.  I have tried to be supportive without telling them what they had to do.  I have always tried to treat them as equals whose opinions mattered and even followed their advice frequently.

I always considered the men who gave me this advice rather coarse.  They were want to describe women as a support system for a vagina (I changed the last word to something less offensive).  I have often been told that they "all have snakes in their heads".  I never supported this view and argued against it if I thought I had a chance to sway the other guy’s opinion.

Recent events have really caused me to wonder.  Afterall, if everyone around you seems crazy, you have to take a hard look at yourself, don’t you?  I just don’t understand anymore.  I assumed until recently that most people were basically good and sometimes made mistakes.  A lot of that optimism is seeping away.

Damn.  I think I have to consider the alternatives as more closely related to the truth.

I would truly love for someone to prove me wrong on this matter.

It appears there are natural bodybuilding contests in Atlanta on the 19th and 26th of September.  On the current timeline, I should be back in the states to make both of these.  Surely the second.  That’s where my sights are set.  I think my bodyfat is at a sustainable level.  I’m going to try to add just a bit more muscle and then cut the bodyfat for the contest(s).  Weighed in at 202 today.  If I cut down to 192 to 195, I should be ripped and at the top of the light-heavy class.  That’s the plan, anyhow.  Keep your fingers crossed.  -dwj

It appears there are natural bodybuilding contests in Atlanta on the 19th and 26th of September.  On the current timeline, I should be back in the states to make both of these.  Surely the second.  That’s where my sights are set.  I think my bodyfat is at a sustainable level.  I’m going to try to add just a bit more muscle and then cut the bodyfat for the contest(s).  Weighed in at 202 today.  If I cut down to 192 to 195, I should be ripped and at the top of the light-heavy class.  That’s the plan, anyhow.  Keep your fingers crossed.  -dwj

It appears there are natural bodybuilding contests in Atlanta on the 19th and 26th of September.  On the current timeline, I should be back in the states to make both of these.  Surely the second.  That’s where my sights are set.  I think my bodyfat is at a sustainable level.  I’m going to try to add just a bit more muscle and then cut the bodyfat for the contest(s).  Weighed in at 202 today.  If I cut down to 192 to 195, I should be ripped and at the top of the light-heavy class.  That’s the plan, anyhow.  Keep your fingers crossed.  -dwj

It appears there are natural bodybuilding contests in Atlanta on the 19th and 26th of September.  On the current timeline, I should be back in the states to make both of these.  Surely the second.  That’s where my sights are set.  I think my bodyfat is at a sustainable level.  I’m going to try to add just a bit more muscle and then cut the bodyfat for the contest(s).  Weighed in at 202 today.  If I cut down to 192 to 195, I should be ripped and at the top of the light-heavy class.  That’s the plan, anyhow.  Keep your fingers crossed.  -dwj

It appears there are natural bodybuilding contests in Atlanta on the 19th and 26th of September.  On the current timeline, I should be back in the states to make both of these.  Surely the second.  That’s where my sights are set.  I think my bodyfat is at a sustainable level.  I’m going to try to add just a bit more muscle and then cut the bodyfat for the contest(s).  Weighed in at 202 today.  If I cut down to 192 to 195, I should be ripped and at the top of the light-heavy class.  That’s the plan, anyhow.  Keep your fingers crossed.  -dwj